I was so busy with finals last week that I didn’t really get the chance to plan my content well and ahead of time for this week. So, I will buy some time by showing you what my project was this weekend!
2'x2' of pain and enjoyment!
I have been using a cheap folding chair for doing my “box” jumps on as it is the only thing I really had around the house. Not a good idea… I bent it to heck and if you landed on the wrong part of it, the chair would fold up and almost kill you.
I have been looking at Lowe’s and Home Depot for a crate or spool or something that would work instead for weeks now with no luck. A local fitness store actually has boxes but they are over $100 a pop.
So I finally gave in and decided to build my own. I went to Lowes and bought a peice of OSB plywoodfor just under $10 and a couple bucks worth of deck screws. Lowes will actually cut the OSB for you, so I had them cut it into 2′x2′ squares. (so I got 8 2×2 pieces)
I took it all home and started assembly. Used 5 of the pieces to build a box that was open on the bottom (so I can keep it free of spiders and stuff (or use it as an actual box lol). So after about 30 minutes-1hr of assembly and $12, I had myself and awesome 2′x2′, sturdy as heck box for doing my box jumps.
You really don’t need to always go out an buy fancy equipment to get the job done. This is one example of thinking outside of the “box” when you need one. If you need a piece of equipment to do something that you want to do, don’t be afriad to create that equipmment yourself!
Unrelated Sidenote and link: Rambodoc has issued his readers a 7 day challenge that is very very primal.
March 30th, 2009 - 8:45 am
Save even more….? I use a picnic bench for these after my beach runs — free, as is the beach. I also use the retaining wall of my garden. That said, I’m one of those idiots who actually paid $125 for my metal platform. I use it, but it doesn’t travel well and was a poor use of that money.
March 30th, 2009 - 8:56 am
Emergefit,
I completely agree about using your sourounding if possible. The area I live in is a flat desert mesa wih no boulders, benches, ledges or anything… so I was stuck. No trees to climb either. It is a MovNat wasteland and makes it REALLY hard to do MovNat type workouts. I can sprint, hurdle my wall… thats about it. I am still working on other possible workouts but it aint easy lol.
March 30th, 2009 - 9:41 am
Awesome! My bf has been wanting to build his own plyo box, I’ll send on the link- I think this’ll inspire.
Nice work!
-BEE
March 30th, 2009 - 12:43 pm
SoG,
Not to be too technical, but do you mean OSB wood rather than OSD? Nice work though, I may have to do the same. What are your favorite workouts with your new box? Have you tried Tabata box jumps?
- Reid
March 30th, 2009 - 12:48 pm
Reid,
I completely mean OSB. I will fix it in the post thank you. Tabata box jumps are a blast! I am going to put the box to good use in my upcoming 300 test as well.
March 30th, 2009 - 1:01 pm
I really need to build one of these for home use. Box jumps have to be one of my favorite/most hated exercises.
With the possible exception of thrusters I don’t think anything crushes me like they do.
March 30th, 2009 - 1:06 pm
After cutting down a tree in our yard, we made box jumps out of the large stumps…just measured and cut and voila…they are good stools on our patio as well…and free!
March 30th, 2009 - 1:16 pm
Bee,
Build it for him.. sounds like a cheap gift!
Chris,
Its quicker and easier to make than I even though it would be.
Carol,
I need some of those. I have a fire pit with no seats around it. Stumps would be perfect! lol
March 30th, 2009 - 2:25 pm
What part of doing box jumps on a fold up lawn chair sounded like a good idea???
That sounds like something my boyfriend would do.
Anyways- nice job. I should really just go buy the wood and build it myself. Need a saw first…
March 30th, 2009 - 2:31 pm
Rayna,
No need for a saw.. they cut it for you for free! And I never said it was a GOOD idea to use the floding chair.. just an idea. lol
March 30th, 2009 - 2:49 pm
SoG – I’m using a step inside my room, and a concrete block outside in the yard and driveway. Plyometric stuff like this is something I’ve added late in the game and in limited quantities since at this point, my exercise is more rehab than fitness
Also, I haven’t gotten around to mayo yet, but today was primal coconut day — I got a great deal on a whole one and spent the morning on it. Everything by hand except the food processor chopping — two pressings of milk with cream on top, squeezed through my yogurt strainer (good arm workout!), and I’ll split the defatted meat between some of your cookie recipes and using with meat for Indian/Thai-inspired stuff. Even considering the effort I put in (and it’ll go faster next time), and not counting the fun/educational value? Well worth it!
March 30th, 2009 - 2:59 pm
damaged justice,
I used to process a fresh coconut every week. It got to the point where it really was a lot to be doing every week so I kind of backed off on it lol. Good stuff though! It is a lot of work but it is fun and rewarding! If I was stranded on an island, i could process and eat coconuts every day lol.
March 30th, 2009 - 3:19 pm
Grok, I never thought about building a box for my personal home Tabata interval enjoyment. Actually, it’s a great idea. Of course, making the box and using the box won’t be nearly as fun as the conversations I’ll end up having with the neighbors while I’m making the box.
Neighbor: Whatcha doin?
Me: Making a box
Neighbor: Why?
Me: So I can jump on it
Neighbor: Why?
Me: So I can dump bodyfat, hit some Tabata’s, and get a great workout
Neighbor: Wanna beer?
Later,
MikeZ
March 30th, 2009 - 3:27 pm
MikeZ,
I am just waiting for people to ask why i have a big wooden box in my house.
You are building a box… so you can dump bodyfat in it? Is this some kind of fight club make soap thing?
March 30th, 2009 - 6:02 pm
Does it have coconuts in it?
March 30th, 2009 - 8:17 pm
SOG is soooooooo in trouble. That chair was part of a set I gave him for his wedding.
Good job though on that box. And very resourceful to have Lowe’s cut the pieces.
Now u need to sew a nice cushion to put on the box for when we come to visit since u will be down a chair.
March 30th, 2009 - 8:37 pm
mmmm …. fresh coconut! Haven’t had that since I left Hawaii (and only a few times then). Someday we’ll get some at the store so hubby can try it, since he’s never had it. We don’t have a machete, though.
And I got a nice laugh (is that wrong?) thinking of you jumping on a folding chair that would randomly fold up and almost kill you. There’s a funny fitness cartoon in there somewhere.
March 31st, 2009 - 7:13 am
I’ve got the make one of these myself…
Couldn’t you make a 1 foot tall box with what you have left over?
John
March 31st, 2009 - 7:35 am
I have the OSD in my garage right now. I’m going to start working out one day at home instead of work but don’t have room to set up my weights. So I’m mainly looking at pushups, squats while holding a plate or taking the bar outside. This box seems like I could add it easily. My question, though, is did you place any supports in the inside corners? Like a 2×4 or a 2×2. I’m thinking I might need to do that as I weigh about 258 as of yesterday. I also might have to start off with a little lower box. I think I need deck screws also. I don’t think that the nails I have would last as long.
Do you jump high as you can when you jump down or just kind of hop off?
Joe
March 31st, 2009 - 8:10 am
Did you put some non-skid tape or substance on the bottom of the box so it won’t slip out from under you? Just a thought…
March 31st, 2009 - 8:34 am
Jessica,
It could double as a coconut storage bin!
MOSOG,
It is still useable… kind of.
Angel,
It is ok getting a laugh out of my silliness. You have to introduce your hubby to fresh coconut!
John,
Sure could… don’t know what I would do with a 1 fot box though.
Joe M,
I got the thickist OSB they had. I did not include any additional support… it is more than sturdy enough. I bet it could hold a couple hundred pounds over my weight with no porblem. I would use screws over nails. I usually just jump to the top of the box and hop back down… a 2 foot hop is enough work as it is… i like you idea for a variation though!
Anna,
My workout room is carpet so no need. On a hard floor though, that would sure come in handy. That or some rubber at key points.
April 1st, 2009 - 9:44 am
I would use a 1′ box for single leg plyometric exercises like single leg squat jumps onto box – forward jumps and laterally. This would be a good step towards 2 foot box jumps of the same nature, which most people consider too advanced to ever reach.
April 1st, 2009 - 10:38 am
John,
Ouch man! Single leg squat box jumps!?!?! That sounds brutal. There ought to be a law against those. lol. Well yes then.. you could definitely build a 1 foot box as well.
April 2nd, 2009 - 7:20 am
Ug. I remember using those exact same plywood boxes training for volleyball in high school/college. It terrifies me to jump up on those boxes after seeing one of my teammates nearly break her leg. I’ll stick with pilates for now
.
April 2nd, 2009 - 8:15 am
Shannon,
lol. You do have to be ever aware of what you are doing when doing box jumps! Come up short in your jump and you end up paying the price. They really are a great exercise though, you shouldn’t be too afraid of them.
It couldn’t have been THAT one.. cause before Sunday THAT one was a piece of plywood